Question on a Victory Model

[DeafSmith]

Found this at a pawn shop. $405.

Haven't bought it yet.

It does not have a 'Property of' stamp but on the grips bottom it has"

a. The 'V'
b. The SN of 560xxx
c. The ordinance 'flaming bomb' stamped to the left of the 'V'.

Is this just a guards gun or was it in the service.

Notice the bright square on the left side of the gun under the cylinder latch.

If it was GI I'd buy it in a second but I am not sure. Oh there was no GHD or whatever on the top strap.

 

[murphydog]

It's at a good price for a .38 Special VM, even factoring in correct stocks and a butt swivel.

It may be a DSC gun sent to a defense or military related entity, as you noted. No way to be sure without a letter of authenticity.

 

[DeafSmith]

I have one of those swivels at home!

 

[DeafSmith]

It's at a good price for a .38 Special VM, even factoring in correct stocks and a butt swivel.

It may be a DSC gun sent to a defense or military related entity, as you noted. No way to be sure without a letter of authenticity.

Hmmm...

https://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/sw_v484563/v484563.htm

 

[Goony]

I have one of those swivels at home!

If original, it should be case hardened. I can remember a few decades back when at the bigger gun shows there were tons of Victory parts available, probably surplussed out from field armorer kits. Butt swivels, triggers, hammers, unnumbered stocks, and even barrels.

 

[Goony]

It may be a DSC gun sent to a defense or military related entity, as you noted. No way to be sure without a letter of authenticity.

DSC (Defense Supplies Corporation) allotted a small portion of Victory revolver production for "essential non-military users", typically for civilian guards at contractors' plants, utilities, shipping facilities, and so forth. Some of these went to law enforcement agencies as well. I've seen it alleged that such won't bear the "ordnance bomb" marking but I don't know for certain if that's universally true.

You may find the following article of interest: "V" Is For Victory: The Smith & Wesson Victory Model Revolver | An Official Journal Of The NRA

 

[DeafSmith]

That article I posted was about the OSS getting a bunch of them!

 

[ordnanceguy]

Deaf:

I can say with a high degree of confidence that the Victory you ask about was not shipped to the OSS. However, without a complete serial number I am unable to offer any further comments.

BTW, the factory letter referenced in the coolgunsite.com link has an error in it. The gun cited there was actually shipped to Rosslyn, Virginia, not Rosslyn, NY.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[DeafSmith]

Deaf:

I can say with a high degree of confidence that the Victory you ask about was not shipped to the OSS. However, without a complete serial number I am unable to offer any further comments.

BTW, the factory letter referenced in the coolgunsite.com link has an error in it. The gun cited there was actually shipped to Rosslyn, Virginia, not Rosslyn, NY.

Regards,
Charlie

Sn is 560977

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Deaf:

Thanks for providing the complete serial number. With that I can tell you that the Victory in question was likely shipped from the factory in the April-May, 1944 time frame. It most likely was a shipment authorized by the Defense Supplies Corporation. Examples of DSC shipments relatively close to your number include the Pittsburgh, PA Police Dept., the Goodyear Aircraft Co., and the U.S. Maritime Commission.

I hope that information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Charlie